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Lake Frome Conservation Park, 6th January 2015

The ParkLake Frome Conservation Park was proclaimed in 2002 and is 1091 hectares. It conserves some rare plants and is known for its bird-watching opportunities and also has a bird hide. Jenny began walking to the bird hide but it was just to hot. After completing my activation of Canunda National Park, VKFF-075, we travelled to Lake Frome Conservation Park, which is adjacent to Canunda National Park. While it would be possible to set up a station near the boundary between the two parks, we decided to try and get close to the bird hide which is accessible from the Southern Access Road. However, after lunch and activating the Park we decided it was just too hot for a three kilometre walk, and the birds being quite sensible, would probably all be resting! Access We entered Lake Frome Conservation Park from the Princes Highway just out of Rendelsham and near the Southend turnoff. The car park is about 500 metres of the Highway. There were no visitors while I was there and I used the Park bench to set up my station. There are HT lines as you near the car park but they did not cause too much bother. Contacts I had the following contacts at Lake Frome Conservation Park: VK5FANA, Adrian at 02:05 UTC; VK3ZZS/P3, Colin;VK5HCF, Col; VK1DI/P2, Ian on summit VK2/IL-002; VK3FMPB, John in Kinglake National Park, and, finally, Peter, VK3PF, at 02:19 UTC, about to go to work, making six contacts and successfully activating the Park. Thanks to all who gave me a contact at the two Parks today (6th January 2015). It was great fun, although quite hot at Lake Frome Conservation Park.Mini Hamfest/s One of the reasons for keeping the activation short was the heat. There was no shade where I was located. But the second reason was I had arranged to meet two keen activators, VK5HCF, Col and VK5EE, Tom. They suggested that I come to the South East Radio Group Headquarters. While there we shared some of our ideas on portable work, saw some SERG videos taken by Club supporter, Dennis, inspected the Club rooms and the Radio Room and we enjoyed the socialising. It was good to see the Radio Room. Many times both Col and Tom have raced up to the Club Rooms to have a contact with me, because they both have noise problems at home. It is a great privilege to meet the person behind the voice. We stayed at Mount Gambier for a second night and the following morning travelled to Kingston SE for our last night away on this trip before arriving home. At Kingston SE we visited Tony (VK5ZAI) and Jill. This was mini hamfest number two. Recently in Amateur Radio Magazine it was announced that Tony was retiring from his position of ARISS coordinator. But he told me in the transition he still has three school contacts with the ISS to complete. While I have been to their place before I did not have the street address for my GPS. Thanks to John, VK5DJ, for a few navigation tips ensuring I got to the right place!